The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-28

enough to keep the others away, stood and
held the thin, pale hands TO their lips and
washed them with tears.
long haired, unkcmpt old fellows
Crawled right upon the shoulders OF the
men in front OF them, and piled over their
heads, regardless OF everything but their
purpose OF touching the hand OF jeff.
Davis. They scrambled and fought and
yelled and cried till bcdlam must have
seemed dense silence beside them. Yet,
even then, the enthusiasm was not ut its
height. II was until somebody handed
the ragged battle flag of the third Georgia
regiment over the heads OF the crowd that
the storm blew its worst. Mr.. Davis
graspCd the tattcrs Of the flag and pressed
them TO his lips. This was the signal for
the most violent lgcaking forth. The air
was full OF such expressions as God bless
jeff. Davis God bless tbs flag and
kindred sentiments. Men in the crowd
below, and men and women ON the porch,
broke down under the strain put upon
their emotions, and in moment
the entire multitude was in
tears. The old Confederate Presi-
dent waved the battle torn sign over
the heads OF the people, who yelled and
| threw their hats away, and cried like 80
many children. Ms. Davis and her two
| daughters kissed the flag in turn, and for
each kiss 1000 hurrahs went up. Mrs.
! Davis ut last tore oil shred of the flag and
! placed il within the bosom OF her dress,
whcnupon n perfect pandemonium OF
| God bless YOU AMI similar shouts was
let loose. When the flag was handed back
| tn the multitude, the men suatched all the
available tatters and pressed them warmly
10 their lips
pretty soon Mr.. Davis rose, and facing
! the people in the attitude of speech
maker, managed finally To bring about a
! lull, in which he was heard by the very
nearest ONES to say:
"Fncnds and l,rothers-I am like that
old flag tattcrcd and torn 10y storms and
ycaN. love II for lis own sake and for
yours | love IL ny II mcniento OF what
your fathers did and what they hoped YOU
would do. | will see YOU again.
"Atths point another flag one ofthc old
original flags with the three bars and tho
eleven stars WIS passed up, and Mr. Da-
Wis and his entire family kissed and wept
oycrit Presently Gov. Gordon pressed TO
the irunt of the porch and after getting
silence, began speech, which was in
tended Ia take the attention of the crowd
from the feeble old man, who had 10y this
time become ~ thrilled and excited that
he trcmhlrd violently. Under cover Of
Gordon's speech Mr. Davis was put into a
carriage ard driven 10 the lair grounds,
whore there Was acpvtitiun uf the scenes
nj Capt Johnston's house. Several badges
were presented TO Mr.. Davis and his
daughters. These presents were made in
behalf Of several military organizations
which arr here aud the badges, which AFRO
very beautiful, all bore conspicuously ON
their faces Confederate flags and printed
sentiments, uf which the following,
nom the badge presented To Mr..
Davis by the Young Mems Veteran
association, is an example. While tho
survivors Of the cunicdculcy do honor
Ia their Chiciiain, We, their sons,
remembering your iaithiulncss 10 and suf-
icringrs iur uicu Join our hearts with thcira
In gratitude, and together pledge you
eternal love. our prayer j. that God, who
. hns ever been inft, may still care for you,
!. and when the end comes crown luu with
! glory that never fades, In "a cause that never
dies
"Whcn Mr.. Davis received this badge
from the hands oi Congressman lilount's
son, the cx-rnsidcnt wcpt like child,
and said: My countymcn, ! am proud
to know that you hold In reverence the
memory and principles Of your fathers